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Robert E. Hanson

February 7, 1939 ~ August 23, 2018 (age 79)

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Robert Erwin Hanson (Funeral Service date/time to be determined by family)

1939-2018

Robert Erwin Hanson (Bob) was born to Walter Erwin and Alice Ethelyn Hanson on February 7, 1939, in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. He is survived by his daughter Karen Sue (Bob) Anderson, his brother Duane (Joy) Hanson, his sister DeAnne (Monte) Malnaa, and several nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his wife Sheila, his son Matthew, and his older brother Leo (Iretta). Bob died of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Having grown up in Poplar and Chinook Montana, his family later settled in Billings, where many of them still live today.

The Hanson Family

In 1960, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy, where he completed 4 years of service being honorably discharged on July 7, 1964. In the service he gained extensive training as an electrician, which would come to serve him well throughout his life.

Bob off to basic training in the United States Navy, 1960

After the military, Bob worked in Seattle and then was offered a job at IBM Boulder, where he worked and retired in 2004. During his tenure, he was a Parts Assembler for IBM’s copiers, a Forklift Driver in shipping and receiving, and finally an international purchasing agent for the small computer parts and hardware.

A family man, Bob married Sheila Ann McGhee, on March 24, 1973 at First Presbyterian Church in Longmont, Colorado. In doing so, he gained a son, Matthew Lawrence Mills, and a daughter, Karen Sue Mills, of whom he would love as his own. His son Matthew was born with Cerebral Palsy, and Bob would cherish caring for him until Matt’s death in August of 1991. Sheila passed away on April 8, 2001, in Greeley, CO.

Bob with his son Matthew, his wife Sheila, and his daughter, Karen Sue in the 1970’s

This is Matt and Bob picnicking up on the St. Vrain River in the late 1970s. You can just see how happy Matthew was about being out there with his Dad. Matthew would die in his arms.

Bob’s daughter Karen and his son-in-law, Robert C. (Bob) Anderson, whom he loved as a son

Duane, DeAnne and Bob, together in Billings, MT, 2013

A favorite hobby of Bob’s was photography. We thought we would share a few of his most beautiful photos. Bob also enjoyed flying radio controlled (RC) airplanes, and was a member of an RC flying club in Longmont, Colorado. He loved spending time out there with the guys!

Just some of Bob’s best pictures of Colorado, his home

Bob’s here celebrating his brother Duane’s retirement in Carbon City, UT, in September of 2014. What a FUN get-together! Bob so enjoyed times when he would come visit Duane and his wife, Joy. He was so proud of his little brother becoming a pastor and serving our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bob also loved summer vacations when he would come home to Billings to spend time with his sister, DeAnne and her family. Thank you for always making us feel so welcome. Here Bob is with DeAnne when she came to visit him at the Granville Assisted Living Center this past year.

Bob would have wanted a special mention of his best friend, Sherry Ference, seen here with him at The Granville. They both lived at the Granville Assisted Living Center in Lakewood, Colorado. We thank you so much Sherry for all the comfort and care you gave to our Bob. He said you two would just talk for hours. Your companionship meant so much to him, and you made him so very happy. Thank you from all of us.

In closing, Bob would have wanted all of you to know how much he loved each of you, and how much it meant to him to have you as part of his life. He was such a good, decent, hard working man, who did not deserve debilitating Parkinson’s disease. Bobwould appreciate any donations be given to the Michael J. Fox Fund for Parkinson’s Research. We had all hoped there would be a cure during his lifetime. Thank you, kindly.